There are several ways to file your taxes for free this year. IRS Free File and the free versions of popular tax prep programs are just a few options to explore. All taxpayers regardless of their income can use the IRS’ Free File Fillable Forms. These are the electronic versions of IRS paper forms and are best for people who are comfortable preparing their own taxes using IRS forms and instructions. 100% accurate calculations, audit support, and your max refund. Choose TurboTax Live Assisted Basic to get unlimited expert advice as you do your own taxes or TurboTax Live Full Service and let an expert do taxes for you, start to finish.

Learn more about each way of doing your taxes

WASHINGTON — As the end of tax season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that IRS Free File is a quick and easy way to file federal tax returns for free. At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every tax software review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of tax software products. There’s no official definition of a simple return, but typically it involves reporting income from a single source on an IRS Form 1040 and taking the standard deduction.

If you need an automatic extension, you can file for that online also. Typically (but not always), these packages are well-suited for people who only have income from one job and aren’t itemizing deductions on their tax returns. If your tax situation is a little more complex, this might not be a solution for you. Below is an overview of the free packages for the four tax preparation providers that NerdWallet reviews. Many popular tax software companies also offer a free version of their tax filing programs. The free tiers are typically limited in what they can handle and are usually best suited for those with simple tax returns.

In 2025, Form 1120-S and all of the other parts of your S corporation tax return are due on March 17th. You can file for an automatic 6-month extension by filing IRS Form 7004, however you must still pay your taxes on time. ‘S Corporation’ is a special federal tax status that offers business owners the liability protection of a corporation while also allowing them to avoid double taxation and potentially lower their self-employment taxes.

Kemberley simple tax return Washington is a former staff writer at Forbes Advisor and provides consumer-friendly tax tips for individuals and businesses. She has been instrumental in tax product reviews and online tax calculators to help individuals make informed tax decisions. Her work has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Bankrate.com, SmartAsset, Black Enterprise, New Orleans Agenda, and more. Your specific situation may not align with most free products, due to limitations including your income level and the forms you need to file.

How IRS Free File offers work

Verify Social Security numbers and personal information to avoid errors. It is primarily for individuals earning wages, salaries, and tips, typically documented on Form W-2. It also covers taxable scholarships used for non-qualified education expenses and unemployment compensation, which is subject to federal income tax.

Itemizing vs. Standard Deduction

They can also learn more about tax deductions, investments, tax guidelines for the self-employed, and other factors that may impact their overall finances. Last year, TurboTax offered additional resources for its Latino users who needed support for the Coronavirus and Stimulus Center, Unemployment Center, or Self-Employed Coronavirus Relief Center. For those who need live support, Spanish-speaking tax experts are available at all times to address any concerns or questions they may have. TurboTax offers both online and downloadable versions of their software, which can be used to file your taxes. They offer many features that can save time while maximizing your tax refund.

CompleteCheck™ scans your return from beginning to end, so you can be confident it’s 100% accurate before you file.. You’ll also find tax-saving credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and Child Tax Credit. Nick Zarzycki is a writer and editor specializing in small business bookkeeping, accounting and finance. If you reported any net gain on Form 4797, Part II, line 17, enter that amount on Line 4 and attach Form 4797.

• With my utter lack of experience and complicated mess of documents, I might be the best guinea pig to see which online tax services are best for most types of filers.
• Direct File will only help with individual federal tax returns, not state returns.
• Sign up when you’re ready to finish and file your taxes with TurboTax and begin using your account right away.Or, you can have your refund mailed as a check.
• These situations complicate your tax return and require more than the standard Form 1040.
• It streamlines the process and allows you to file efficiently without unnecessary details.

With the TCE program, you can expect tax preparation help from January 1 to April 15 annually. However, the organizations that administer the program may also provide older people with tax help throughout the year. In addition to the VITA program, the IRS also offers free help to taxpayers who are 60 and older through its Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program. Although similar to the VITA program, this initiative focuses on more specific assistance and guidance in the areas of pension- and retirement-related tax issues.

The 1040 Easy Form is designed for single filers or married couples filing jointly without dependents. It is suitable for individuals whose income is limited to wages, salaries, tips, taxable scholarships, or unemployment compensation. The form does not support reporting income from sources like capital gains, rental properties, or self-employment. Learn how to efficiently file the 1040 Easy Form for straightforward tax returns, covering eligibility, income, deductions, and essential steps. Eventually, for more complex tax situations, you may need additional documents like mortgage statements or other detailed financial information. But since we save your return as you go, you can finish anytime.

Frequently asked questions about TurboTax products

• Form 1120 is a separate IRS tax form used by C corporations to file their annual tax return.
• The advantage of Free File is that the experience is similar to what you’d get using software programs created by large tax filing companies.
• Using tax services yourself to file is often the cheapest and most straightforward way to get your taxes finished—and get that refund on its way.
• It lets certain people access free software from several tax-prep companies, including major brands such as TaxSlayer and TaxAct.
• We keep things simple with easy-to-understand explanations throughout the tax-filing process.

Some people aren’t able to take the standard deduction based on their filing status. We will help you select the right product for you from our Products and Pricing page. Plus, if you hit a point where another product might be better for you, we’ll give you the opportunity to change. The information you’ve already entered will transfer automatically. No matter which TurboTax version you choose, rest assured—you’ll be asked simple questions and will have guidance finding every tax deduction and credit you deserve, and your maximum refund, guaranteed. TurboTax Free Edition supports Form 1040 and limited tax credits only.

Whether you file yourself or get expert help, you’ll get your maximum refund guaranteed, or your money back. Use Schedule K to summarize all shareholders’ shares of the corporation’s income, deductions, credits, and so on. We keep things simple with easy-to-understand explanations throughout the tax-filing process. Pay $0 federal, $0 state with TurboTax Free Edition.~37% of filers qualify. Simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and student loan interest).

Why Should You File a Simple Tax Return?

Along with these items, taxpayers will also need to provide photo IDs and Social Security cards or taxpayer identification number (TIN) letters to prove their identities. Many of the big tax preparation companies will bring in customers with the offer of “free” filing, says Curtis. The standard deduction for a single person, or a married person filing separately, is ​$12,550​ for 2021.